Exchange Bank has been a strong and stable community bank since 1856, five years before Kansas was admitted to the Union as a free state. Industries in 1856 in Atchison and Leavenworth included farming, railroad, blacksmith shops, wagon, and repair shops.
It was the beginning of a long and rich history for Exchange Bank & Trust. It’s the year First National Bank was established in Leavenworth, Kansas, which was later acquired by Exchange Bank. The early predecessors of Exchange Bank had their beginnings in Atchison just a year later. This bank has been family-owned all along, initially by the Hetherington family and later the Waggener family. Local ownership proudly continues today through the Adair family.
John A. Adair, Sr. was the bank president for 25 years. Over the decades, the bank evolved into who we are today: Exchange Bank & Trust. Paul H. Adair, the 2nd son of John, Sr, helped lead the bank for over 47 years, and Paul’s oldest son, Douglass J. Adair, serves as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Over the years the bank has grown beyond the original buildings in Atchison and Leavenworth. We now have 10 branches in Atchison, Leavenworth, Lansing, Easton, Effingham, and Troy, Kansas, Platte City and Rushville, Missouri. We have assets in excess of $530 million and we employ approximately 100.
As the bank has served for many decades, it also has loyal, long-term employees that have been dedicated to the bank and community, such as Vice Presidents Wanda Olson, Becky Hawk, and Sr. Vice President, Todd Gigstad, who have been a part of the Exchange Bank family for more than 35 years. Rich Dickason, past president and CEO, served the bank for 50 years, retiring in 2023. Our family-owned bank continues to leave a long and successful legacy in our communities.
Exchange Bank has survived the Civil War, the Great Depression, the Great Recession, and other significant historical events. We have been a strong pillar in Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri for over 165 years. With the combination of our dedicated employees, advanced technology, and our commitment to our communities, we plan to be here for at least another 168 years.